World of Agriculture 
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North Korea

North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia covering approximately 120,540 km². Its geography is predominantly mountainous, with the Kangnam Mountains and Myohyang Mountains dominating much of the interior. Narrow coastal plains along the west and east coasts provide the main areas suitable for agriculture. North Korea has a temperate continental climate, with cold winters and warm, humid summers, shaping seasonal farming patterns.

  • North Korea 2013 - stadium
  • North Korea 2013 - cropping
  • North Korea 2013 - maize vegetable
  • North Korea - pigs
  • North Korea 2013 - food

Historically, the Korean Peninsula has been inhabited for millennia, with the region experiencing dynastic rule before Japanese colonization in the early 20th century. Following World War II and the division of the peninsula, North Korea was established as a socialist state in 1948. Today, it has a population of approximately 25 million people, with the capital city located in Pyongyang.

Agriculture remains a critical sector for food security. Rice and maize are the main staple crops, cultivated primarily in the western plains, while potatoes, barley, and soybeans are also grown in upland areas. Livestock farming is limited and mostly small-scale. Despite some fertile soils and irrigation infrastructure, the sector faces challenges such as mountainous terrain, periodic droughts, and limited modern agricultural inputs. Consequently, farming in North Korea emphasizes collective production systems, crop diversification, and careful water and soil management to sustain food supply.

  • North Korea 2013 - Gerold 3
  • North Korea 2013 - Gerold 7
  • North Korea 2013 - Gerold 8
  • North Korea 2013 - Gerold 6
  • North Korea 2013 - Gerold 2
  • North Korea 2013 - Gerold 5
  • North Korea 2013 - Gerold 4
  • North Korea 2013 - Erik and Karl
  • North Korea 2013 - Gerold
  • North Korea 2013 - organic research farm

In August 2013 was Gerold with Eric Meili in the framework of an EUAid project in North Korea. There we discussed food security with the Organic Agriculture Research Institute in Pyongyang and on the Mirim farm near the city.